Alireza Arafi, a 67-year-old cleric, became the interim Supreme Leader of Iran after the recent death of Ali Khamenei, who was killed in an attack allegedly carried out by the United States and Israel. Arafi now leads the Interim Security Council and is tasked with guiding the process to elect a new Supreme Leader, a decision that will ultimately rest with the Assembly of Experts, which currently has no scheduled meeting to choose Khamenei's successor.

Born in 1959 in Meybod, Yazd province, Arafi comes from a clerical family and is closely associated with the lineage of Iranian religious leadership. His father, Ayatollah Mohammad Ibrahim Arafi, was noted for his proximity to Ruhollah Khomeini, the founder of the Islamic Republic. Moving to Qom at a young age, Arafi studied under prominent scholars who would later play significant roles in Iran's theocratic regime, allowing him to gain influence within the religious and political landscape of Iran.

The selection of Arafi as interim leader introduces a notable shift in Iran's leadership structure at a time of regional tension, particularly considering the alleged involvement of the U.S. and Israel in Khamenei's death. Arafi's position will be crucial as he navigates the challenges ahead, including maintaining internal stability and addressing the complex geopolitical dynamics in the Middle East, especially pending the Assembly of Experts' decision about a permanent successor.